WO2022117186A1 - Method of exciting a mechanical resonance in a structural component of a microorganism - Google Patents

Method of exciting a mechanical resonance in a structural component of a microorganism Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2022117186A1
WO2022117186A1 PCT/EP2020/084421 EP2020084421W WO2022117186A1 WO 2022117186 A1 WO2022117186 A1 WO 2022117186A1 EP 2020084421 W EP2020084421 W EP 2020084421W WO 2022117186 A1 WO2022117186 A1 WO 2022117186A1
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
frequency
coils
microorganism
pair
coil
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/EP2020/084421
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Peter Ernst VOLLENWEIDER
Original Assignee
Medscienceswiss Ag
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Publication date
Application filed by Medscienceswiss Ag filed Critical Medscienceswiss Ag
Priority to PCT/EP2020/084421 priority Critical patent/WO2022117186A1/en
Priority to EP21816492.9A priority patent/EP4255514A2/en
Priority to CA3200449A priority patent/CA3200449A1/en
Priority to PCT/EP2021/083802 priority patent/WO2022117662A2/en
Priority to US18/265,084 priority patent/US20240000982A1/en
Publication of WO2022117186A1 publication Critical patent/WO2022117186A1/en

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Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61N—ELECTROTHERAPY; MAGNETOTHERAPY; RADIATION THERAPY; ULTRASOUND THERAPY
    • A61N2/00—Magnetotherapy
    • A61N2/004—Magnetotherapy specially adapted for a specific therapy
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61L—METHODS OR APPARATUS FOR STERILISING MATERIALS OR OBJECTS IN GENERAL; DISINFECTION, STERILISATION OR DEODORISATION OF AIR; CHEMICAL ASPECTS OF BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES; MATERIALS FOR BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES
    • A61L2/00—Methods or apparatus for disinfecting or sterilising materials or objects other than foodstuffs or contact lenses; Accessories therefor
    • A61L2/0005—Methods or apparatus for disinfecting or sterilising materials or objects other than foodstuffs or contact lenses; Accessories therefor for pharmaceuticals, biologicals or living parts
    • A61L2/0011—Methods or apparatus for disinfecting or sterilising materials or objects other than foodstuffs or contact lenses; Accessories therefor for pharmaceuticals, biologicals or living parts using physical methods
    • A61L2/0029—Radiation
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61L—METHODS OR APPARATUS FOR STERILISING MATERIALS OR OBJECTS IN GENERAL; DISINFECTION, STERILISATION OR DEODORISATION OF AIR; CHEMICAL ASPECTS OF BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES; MATERIALS FOR BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES
    • A61L2/00—Methods or apparatus for disinfecting or sterilising materials or objects other than foodstuffs or contact lenses; Accessories therefor
    • A61L2/02—Methods or apparatus for disinfecting or sterilising materials or objects other than foodstuffs or contact lenses; Accessories therefor using physical phenomena
    • A61L2/08—Radiation
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61L—METHODS OR APPARATUS FOR STERILISING MATERIALS OR OBJECTS IN GENERAL; DISINFECTION, STERILISATION OR DEODORISATION OF AIR; CHEMICAL ASPECTS OF BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES; MATERIALS FOR BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES
    • A61L9/00—Disinfection, sterilisation or deodorisation of air
    • A61L9/16—Disinfection, sterilisation or deodorisation of air using physical phenomena
    • A61L9/18—Radiation
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61N—ELECTROTHERAPY; MAGNETOTHERAPY; RADIATION THERAPY; ULTRASOUND THERAPY
    • A61N2/00—Magnetotherapy
    • A61N2/02—Magnetotherapy using magnetic fields produced by coils, including single turn loops or electromagnets
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C02—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
    • C02F—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
    • C02F1/00—Treatment of water, waste water, or sewage
    • C02F1/48—Treatment of water, waste water, or sewage with magnetic or electric fields
    • C02F1/487—Treatment of water, waste water, or sewage with magnetic or electric fields using high frequency electromagnetic fields, e.g. pulsed electromagnetic fields
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61L—METHODS OR APPARATUS FOR STERILISING MATERIALS OR OBJECTS IN GENERAL; DISINFECTION, STERILISATION OR DEODORISATION OF AIR; CHEMICAL ASPECTS OF BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES; MATERIALS FOR BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES
    • A61L2202/00—Aspects relating to methods or apparatus for disinfecting or sterilising materials or objects
    • A61L2202/10—Apparatus features
    • A61L2202/11—Apparatus for generating biocidal substances, e.g. vaporisers, UV lamps
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61L—METHODS OR APPARATUS FOR STERILISING MATERIALS OR OBJECTS IN GENERAL; DISINFECTION, STERILISATION OR DEODORISATION OF AIR; CHEMICAL ASPECTS OF BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES; MATERIALS FOR BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES
    • A61L2202/00—Aspects relating to methods or apparatus for disinfecting or sterilising materials or objects
    • A61L2202/20—Targets to be treated
    • A61L2202/22—Blood or products thereof
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C02—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
    • C02F—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
    • C02F2303/00—Specific treatment goals
    • C02F2303/04—Disinfection

Definitions

  • the invention addressed herein relates to a method of exciting a mechanical resonance in a structural component of a microorganism and to a method of selecting ef fective operating parameters to perform the invention .
  • the invention relates to applications of the method in various technical fields .
  • the obj ect of the present invention is to provide an alternative method for reducing the activity of a microorganism .
  • it is a goal to achieve this ef fect based on physical means .
  • This obj ect is achieved by a method according to claim 1 .
  • the method according to the invention is a method of exciting a mechanical resonance in a structural component of a microorganism .
  • the method comprises exposing said microorganism to an oscillating magnetic field, which oscillates at least at a first frequency .
  • the first frequency corresponds to a frequency of a mechanical resonance of said structural component .
  • a structural component may e.g. be a bacterial membrane, a cell organelle of a bacterium or a virus capsid.
  • a cell organelle is e.g. a flagellum or a mitochondrion or the germs membrane itself.
  • the idea of the inventor is to excite a resonance frequency, which may be estimated from observed movements of the specific microorganism. This resonance may be excited to a degree that leads to a damage of the respective structural component. In consequence, the activity of the microorganism may be reduced, or the microorganism may be destroyed.
  • the waveform of the oscillating magnetic field may be purely sinusoidal, i.e. being defined by a single frequency being said first frequency.
  • the waveform may be more complex, e.g. involving higher order harmonics of the first frequency.
  • the waveform may e.g. have a saw tooth form or the form of rectangular pulses with a repetition frequency according to said first frequency.
  • Various kinds of modulation are possible.
  • the first frequency is in the range up to 30 Megahertz, in particular in the range 0.01 Hertz to 400KHz.
  • the applied magnetic field may oscillate at a frequency adapted to the rotational movements of the flagellae of a specific type of bacteria.
  • the oscillating magnetic field is generated by driving an alternating current of the first frequency through a coil arrangement comprising at least one coil.
  • the dimension of the coil may be adapted to the specific situation, e.g. to the size of a container in which the microorganism is held when performing the method.
  • a container may e.g. be a microscope slide, a petri dish or an artificial vessel.
  • a container may also be a tube filled with water, an ingredient for preparing a nutrition product or any medium susceptible to microbial activity.
  • the coil may e.g. be a circular coil with several hundred windings.
  • the coil arrangement comprises a pair of coils.
  • the coils of the pair of coils are arranged on a common axis and spaced apart in direction of the axis.
  • the microorganism is placed in a space between said coils of the pair of coils.
  • the coil arrangement may form a so-called Helmholt z-coil .
  • the direction of said alternating current is either parallel in said coils of the pair of coils or is opposite in said coils of the pair of coils ( gradient ) .
  • a region with a homogenous magnetic field can be created in the space between the coils and close to the axis .
  • a magnetic field gradient of the field component parallel to the axis is created .
  • Homogenous field and field gradient may have di f ferent ef fects on di f ferent species of microorganisms .
  • the relative current directions in the coils of the pair of coils is an operating parameter, which may be selected according to the needs .
  • alternating current of said first frequency is driven through a first coil of said pair of coils and wherein alternating current of a second frequency is driven through a second coil of said pair of coils .
  • a combination of duration of said exposing and of field strength of said oscillating magnetic field is selected such that a microbial activity is reduced, in particular such that said structural component of said microorganism is damaged .
  • the peptidoglycan architecture ( contains N-Acetyl- glucosamin and N-Acetylmuroaminacetat ) or/and the cytoplasma membrane may be destroyed by applying the method .
  • the pressure inside bacteria is approx . 2 atmospheres .
  • a little damage in the peptidoglycan membrane will lead to a blow-out .
  • the method comprises the steps
  • the microorganisms of a pure bacterial culture may undergo the rating according to this method .
  • high tech fluorescence microscopy, quantitative smears , counting chambers and comparison cultures after incubation can be used .
  • the rating of ef ficacity may be a killing rate speci fic for the first frequency .
  • Identically prepared bacterial cultures may be used to determine and comparing the ef ficacity of di f ferent choices for the first frequency .
  • the rating of ef ficacity may in addition include the aspect , that another type of bacteria, virus or other cells undergoing the same treatment is not affected or damaged .
  • human HEKs cells or lymphocytes can be seeded with the sample germs and thus the same application can be performed to kill or damage the germs . No damage of the inoculated cells in culture is shown by the electromagnetic therapy application described above .
  • the rating of ef ficacity applies to a set of values of operating parameters of the method according to the invention .
  • the set comprises at least the first frequency .
  • the set of values of operating parameters is defined as
  • the relative direction of the current may be selected to be parallel or opposite in a pair of coils , e . g . in a
  • the method comprises repeatedly performing the method according to the invention with various values of said first frequency .
  • a first frequency regarding ef ficacity is applied to a microorganism of a first species .
  • a table of ratings of ef ficacity in dependency of said first frequency is established, wherein the frequency with the highest rating of ef ficacity is selected as the species-speci fic frequency for said first species .
  • This method can be repeated for a second species , a third species and so on .
  • a table or a database of speciesspeci fic frequencies may be established based on the method .
  • a frequency range for the first frequency is estimated based on observed movements of the first species of microorganisms .
  • Various values of the first frequency are selected from the frequency range , which is estimated based on observed movements .
  • This embodiment of the method has the ef fect that a species-speci fic frequency may be found in a short time . Testing a huge list of possible frequencies for their ef fect on a certain species of microorganism can be avoided . A concentration of the tests to an interesting region of frequencies is possible . As an example , speciesspeci fic flagella movements may be systematically observed and screened for characteristic frequencies . These results may be collected in a database , which in turn is the basis for setting up tests for identi fying the most ef fective frequency of an oscillating magnetic field .
  • the invention is further directed to a use of the method according to any one of claims 1 to 7 for reduction of microbial activity in the technical fields of water treatment , nutrition industry, cell culture industry or paper industry as well as in the general reduction or limitation of the reproduction of speci fic germs in all areas , as well as in human and animal tissue cultures , external treatment of blood preparations .
  • the invention shall now be further exempli fied with the help of figures .
  • the figures show :
  • Fig . 1 a schematic view of a situation occurring during the method according to the invention
  • Fig . 3 a schematic view of an apparatus for performing the method according to the invention .
  • Fig . 1 shows schematically and by means of an illustrative simpli fied example , a situation occurring during the method according to the invention .
  • a microorganism 1 is exposed to an oscillating magnetic field H .
  • the orientation and oscillating polarity of the magnetic field is symbolically indicated by arrows .
  • the microorganism shown has a cell membrane 2 and organelles 3 .
  • the cell membrane is the structural component , which undergoes a periodical mechanical deformation .
  • Extreme positions of the deformation are shown in double lines and in double dashed lines , respectively .
  • the orientation of the magnetic field after hal f a period of one oscillation of the magnetic field is shown as arrows with dashed lines .
  • Fig. 2. a) shows a cross section through coil-arrangement comprising a pair of coils arranged as Helmholt z-pair . Both coils of the pair of coils are arranged on a common axis A, which is indicated as dash-dotted line. First coil 11' and second coil 11' ' of the pair of coils. An oscillating current is driven through both the coils such that the current runs in parallel in both coils. This way, the magnetic field H of the first coil is oriented in the same direction as the field of the second coil. The magnetic fields produced by the coils add up to a homogeneous magnetic field in a region between the coils and close to the axis. A container 20, which carries microorganisms, is placed in the space between the coils.
  • Fig. 2.b shows a cross section through coil-arrangement similar to the one shown in Fig. 2. a) , but with the difference, that the current is driven through the coils of the pair of coils in opposite direction. This way, the magnetic field generated by the first coil is directed in opposite direction compared to the field direction of the second coil.
  • the axial component of the magnetic field i.e. the field component parallel to the axis A, has a gradient form in the space between the two coils of the pair of coils.
  • the microorganism placed in the space between the coils are exposed to an oscillating magnetic field gradient.
  • Coil-arrangements as shown in Fig. 2. a) and Fig. 2.b) may be driven by a single current source, when the two coils are connected in series.
  • each coil may be driven by a separate current source.
  • the frequency of the oscillation may be selected differently for the current in the first and the second coil.
  • Fig. 3 shows a schematic view of an apparatus 10 for performing the method according to the invention.
  • the apparatus comprises a coil-arrangement 11, which comprises a first coil 11' and a second coil 11' ' .
  • the geometry of the coil-arrangement may e.g. be a Helmholt z-pair, as shown in Fig. 2. a) or Fig. 2.b) .
  • a two-channel RF-frequency generator 12 has two output channels, which deliver each an oscillating signal oscillating at a selectable first frequency and second frequency, respectively.
  • a two-channel broad band power amplifier amplifies the signals of the RF- frequency generator such that the first coil 11' and the second coil 11' can be driven with an oscillating current of the first and the second frequency.
  • a trimmer 14, i.e. an adjustable capacity, for phase compensation is connected in series to each of the coil.
  • the adjustable capacity may be built as a capacitance decade dimensioned for high voltages across the coils, e.g. for voltages in the range 100 V to 5 KV. List of reference signs

Abstract

Method of exciting an electro-magnetic mechanical resonance in a structural component (2, 3) of a microorganism (1), the method comprising exposing said microorganism to an oscillating magnetic field (H), which oscillates at least at a first frequency, characterized in that said first frequency corresponds to a frequency of a mechanical resonance of said structural component. The invention is further directed to a method of selecting effective operating parameters to perform the invention. Under further aspects, the invention relates to applications of the method in in the technical fields of water treatment, nutrition industry, cell culture industry or paper industry as well as in the general reduction or limitation of the reproduction of specific germs in all areas, as well as in human and animal tissue cultures, ex vivo (extracorporal) of blood preparations.

Description

METHOD OF EXCITING A MECHANICAL RESONANCE IN A STRUCTURAL COMPONENT OF A MICROORGANISM
The invention addressed herein relates to a method of exciting a mechanical resonance in a structural component of a microorganism and to a method of selecting ef fective operating parameters to perform the invention . Under further aspects , the invention relates to applications of the method in various technical fields .
In various technical fields , activity of microorganisms needs to be reduced or avoided . A well-known approach is to use chemicals , in particular antibiotics , to achieve this goal . This approach has numerous undesired side-ef fects , such as polluting the environment with toxic substances or creating multi-resistant germs .
The obj ect of the present invention is to provide an alternative method for reducing the activity of a microorganism . In particular, it is a goal to achieve this ef fect based on physical means .
This obj ect is achieved by a method according to claim 1 .
The method according to the invention is a method of exciting a mechanical resonance in a structural component of a microorganism . The method comprises exposing said microorganism to an oscillating magnetic field, which oscillates at least at a first frequency . The first frequency corresponds to a frequency of a mechanical resonance of said structural component . Within the present patent application, the term microorganism is meant to include single-celled organisms, such as bacteria and archaea, as well as viruses. A structural component may e.g. be a bacterial membrane, a cell organelle of a bacterium or a virus capsid. A cell organelle is e.g. a flagellum or a mitochondrion or the germs membrane itself.
The idea of the inventor is to excite a resonance frequency, which may be estimated from observed movements of the specific microorganism. This resonance may be excited to a degree that leads to a damage of the respective structural component. In consequence, the activity of the microorganism may be reduced, or the microorganism may be destroyed.
The waveform of the oscillating magnetic field may be purely sinusoidal, i.e. being defined by a single frequency being said first frequency. The waveform may be more complex, e.g. involving higher order harmonics of the first frequency. The waveform may e.g. have a saw tooth form or the form of rectangular pulses with a repetition frequency according to said first frequency. Various kinds of modulation are possible.
Variants of the method result from the features defined in claims 2 to 7.
In one embodiment of the method according to the invention, the first frequency is in the range up to 30 Megahertz, in particular in the range 0.01 Hertz to 400KHz. As an example, the applied magnetic field may oscillate at a frequency adapted to the rotational movements of the flagellae of a specific type of bacteria.
In one embodiment of the method according to the invention, the oscillating magnetic field is generated by driving an alternating current of the first frequency through a coil arrangement comprising at least one coil. The dimension of the coil may be adapted to the specific situation, e.g. to the size of a container in which the microorganism is held when performing the method. Such a container may e.g. be a microscope slide, a petri dish or an artificial vessel. In context of various technical field, such a container may also be a tube filled with water, an ingredient for preparing a nutrition product or any medium susceptible to microbial activity. The coil may e.g. be a circular coil with several hundred windings.
In one variant of the method using a coil arrangement, the coil arrangement comprises a pair of coils. The coils of the pair of coils are arranged on a common axis and spaced apart in direction of the axis. The microorganism is placed in a space between said coils of the pair of coils. Using pair of coils for generate the magnetic field has the advantage that access to the microorganism is possible from different sides in the space between the coils. The coil arrangement may form a so-called Helmholt z-coil . In one variant of the method, the direction of said alternating current is either parallel in said coils of the pair of coils or is opposite in said coils of the pair of coils ( gradient ) .
With parallel current direction, a region with a homogenous magnetic field can be created in the space between the coils and close to the axis . With current running in the first coils opposite to the direction of the second coil , a magnetic field gradient of the field component parallel to the axis is created . Homogenous field and field gradient may have di f ferent ef fects on di f ferent species of microorganisms . The relative current directions in the coils of the pair of coils is an operating parameter, which may be selected according to the needs .
In one embodiment of the method according to the invention, alternating current of said first frequency is driven through a first coil of said pair of coils and wherein alternating current of a second frequency is driven through a second coil of said pair of coils .
In this embodiment , separate current sources for the two coils are applied . Due to the di f ference between first and second frequency, there are periods of time during which the currents in both coils run in parallel , such that a homogenous field is created, and there are periods of time , during which a f ield gradient is created . In one embodiment of the method according to the invention, a combination of duration of said exposing and of field strength of said oscillating magnetic field is selected such that a microbial activity is reduced, in particular such that said structural component of said microorganism is damaged .
The peptidoglycan architecture ( contains N-Acetyl- glucosamin and N-Acetylmuroaminacetat ) or/and the cytoplasma membrane may be destroyed by applying the method . The pressure inside bacteria is approx . 2 atmospheres . A little damage in the peptidoglycan membrane will lead to a blow-out .
Further in the scope of the invention lies a method according to claim 8 .
It is a method of rating a first frequency regarding ef ficacity . The method comprises the steps
- observing a pre-treatment activity of a first microorganism,
- exposing said first microorganism to an oscillating magnetic field oscillating at said first frequency,
- observing a post-treatment activity of said first microorganism,
- determining a rating of ef ficacity for said first frequency in dependence of the di f ference between said post-treatment activity and said pre-treatment activity . The microorganisms of a pure bacterial culture may undergo the rating according to this method . To evaluate the ef fectiveness of the above described frequency application, high tech fluorescence microscopy, quantitative smears , counting chambers and comparison cultures after incubation can be used . The rating of ef ficacity may be a killing rate speci fic for the first frequency . Identically prepared bacterial cultures may be used to determine and comparing the ef ficacity of di f ferent choices for the first frequency .
The rating of ef ficacity may in addition include the aspect , that another type of bacteria, virus or other cells undergoing the same treatment is not affected or damaged . For compatibility in the experimental field, human HEKs cells or lymphocytes can be seeded with the sample germs and thus the same application can be performed to kill or damage the germs . No damage of the inoculated cells in culture is shown by the electromagnetic therapy application described above .
In one embodiment of the method of rating a first frequency regarding ef ficacity, the rating of ef ficacity applies to a set of values of operating parameters of the method according to the invention . The set comprises at least the first frequency .
Together with rating the ef fect of the first frequency, other operating parameters may be selected appropriately to achieve a high ef ficiency . In one embodiment of the method of rating a first frequency regarding ef ficacity, the set of values of operating parameters is defined as
- the first frequency, and/or
- the first frequency and the relative direction of the alternating current in a pair of coils , and/or
- the first frequency and the second frequency .
The relative direction of the current may be selected to be parallel or opposite in a pair of coils , e . g . in a
Helmholt z-pair as discussed in more detail below .
Further in the scope of the invention lies a method according to claim 11 .
It is a method of determining a species-speci fic frequency of the method according to the invention . The method comprises repeatedly performing the method according to the invention with various values of said first frequency . In each repetition of the method of rating a first frequency regarding ef ficacity is applied to a microorganism of a first species . A table of ratings of ef ficacity in dependency of said first frequency is established, wherein the frequency with the highest rating of ef ficacity is selected as the species-speci fic frequency for said first species .
This method can be repeated for a second species , a third species and so on . A table or a database of speciesspeci fic frequencies may be established based on the method . In one embodiment of the method, a frequency range for the first frequency is estimated based on observed movements of the first species of microorganisms . Various values of the first frequency are selected from the frequency range , which is estimated based on observed movements .
This embodiment of the method has the ef fect that a species-speci fic frequency may be found in a short time . Testing a huge list of possible frequencies for their ef fect on a certain species of microorganism can be avoided . A concentration of the tests to an interesting region of frequencies is possible . As an example , speciesspeci fic flagella movements may be systematically observed and screened for characteristic frequencies . These results may be collected in a database , which in turn is the basis for setting up tests for identi fying the most ef fective frequency of an oscillating magnetic field .
The invention is further directed to a use of the method according to any one of claims 1 to 7 for reduction of microbial activity in the technical fields of water treatment , nutrition industry, cell culture industry or paper industry as well as in the general reduction or limitation of the reproduction of speci fic germs in all areas , as well as in human and animal tissue cultures , external treatment of blood preparations . The invention shall now be further exempli fied with the help of figures . The figures show :
Fig . 1 a schematic view of a situation occurring during the method according to the invention;
Fig . 2 . a ) and 2 . b ) cross-sections through coilarrangements used for performing embodiments of the method;
Fig . 3 a schematic view of an apparatus for performing the method according to the invention .
Fig . 1 shows schematically and by means of an illustrative simpli fied example , a situation occurring during the method according to the invention . A microorganism 1 is exposed to an oscillating magnetic field H . The orientation and oscillating polarity of the magnetic field is symbolically indicated by arrows . The microorganism shown has a cell membrane 2 and organelles 3 . In the case shown, the cell membrane is the structural component , which undergoes a periodical mechanical deformation . Extreme positions of the deformation are shown in double lines and in double dashed lines , respectively . The orientation of the magnetic field after hal f a period of one oscillation of the magnetic field is shown as arrows with dashed lines . The frequency of the applied oscillating magnetic field corresponds to the resonance frequency related to the periodical mechanical deformation . Fig. 2. a) shows a cross section through coil-arrangement comprising a pair of coils arranged as Helmholt z-pair . Both coils of the pair of coils are arranged on a common axis A, which is indicated as dash-dotted line. First coil 11' and second coil 11' ' of the pair of coils. An oscillating current is driven through both the coils such that the current runs in parallel in both coils. This way, the magnetic field H of the first coil is oriented in the same direction as the field of the second coil. The magnetic fields produced by the coils add up to a homogeneous magnetic field in a region between the coils and close to the axis. A container 20, which carries microorganisms, is placed in the space between the coils.
Fig. 2.b) shows a cross section through coil-arrangement similar to the one shown in Fig. 2. a) , but with the difference, that the current is driven through the coils of the pair of coils in opposite direction. This way, the magnetic field generated by the first coil is directed in opposite direction compared to the field direction of the second coil. The axial component of the magnetic field, i.e. the field component parallel to the axis A, has a gradient form in the space between the two coils of the pair of coils. The microorganism placed in the space between the coils are exposed to an oscillating magnetic field gradient.
Coil-arrangements as shown in Fig. 2. a) and Fig. 2.b) may be driven by a single current source, when the two coils are connected in series. Alternatively, each coil may be driven by a separate current source. In the latter case, the frequency of the oscillation may be selected differently for the current in the first and the second coil. In this case, the magnetic field created oscillates between the situations shown in Fig. 2. a) and Fig. 2.b) as extremal situation.
Fig. 3 shows a schematic view of an apparatus 10 for performing the method according to the invention. The apparatus comprises a coil-arrangement 11, which comprises a first coil 11' and a second coil 11' ' . The geometry of the coil-arrangement may e.g. be a Helmholt z-pair, as shown in Fig. 2. a) or Fig. 2.b) . A two-channel RF-frequency generator 12 has two output channels, which deliver each an oscillating signal oscillating at a selectable first frequency and second frequency, respectively. A two-channel broad band power amplifier amplifies the signals of the RF- frequency generator such that the first coil 11' and the second coil 11' can be driven with an oscillating current of the first and the second frequency. A trimmer 14, i.e. an adjustable capacity, for phase compensation is connected in series to each of the coil. The adjustable capacity may be built as a capacitance decade dimensioned for high voltages across the coils, e.g. for voltages in the range 100 V to 5 KV. List of reference signs
1 microorganism
2 cell membrane
3 organelle
10 apparatus for performing the method
11 coil arrangement
11' first coil (of pair of coils)
11' ' second coil (of pair of coils)
12 two channel RF-frequency generator
13 two channel broad band power amplifier
14 trimmer for phase compensation
20 sample / container for microorganism
A axis
H magnetic field

Claims

Claims
1. Method of exciting a mechanical resonance in a structural component (2, 3) of a microorganism (1) , the method comprising exposing said microorganism to an oscillating magnetic field (H) , which oscillates at least at a first frequency, characterized in that said first frequency corresponds to a frequency of a mechanical resonance of said structural component.
2. Method according to claim 1, wherein said first frequency is in the range up to 30 Megahertz, in particular in the range 0.01 Hertz to 400 kHz.
3. Method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said oscillating magnetic field (H) is generated by driving an alternating current of said first frequency through a coil arrangement (11) comprising at least one coil (11', 11' ' ) .
4. Method according to claim 3, wherein said coil arrangement (11) comprises a pair of coils, wherein the coils of the pair of coils are arranged on a common axis (A) and spaced apart in direction of said axis, and wherein said microorganism (1) is placed in a space between said coils (11', 11' ' ) of the pair of coils.
5. Method according to claim 4 , wherein the direction of said alternating current is either parallel in said coils ( 11 ' , 11 ' ' ) of the pair of coils or is opposite in said coils of the pair of coils .
6. Method according to claim 4 , wherein alternating current of said first frequency is driven through a first coil ( 11 ' ) of said pair of coils and wherein alternating current of a second frequency is driven through a second coil ( 11 ' ' ) of said pair o f coils .
7 . Method according to any one of claims 1 to 6 , wherein a combination of duration of said exposing and of field strength of said oscillating magnetic field is selected such that a microbial activity is reduced, in particular such that said structural component of said microorganism is damaged .
8 . Method of rating a first frequency regarding ef f icacity, wherein the method comprises the steps
- observing a pre-treatment activity of a first microorganism,
- exposing said first microorganism to an oscillating magnetic field oscillating at said first frequency,
- observing a post-treatment activity of said first microorganism,
- determining a rating of ef ficacity for said first 15 frequency in dependence of the di f ference between said post-treatment activity and said pre-treatment activity .
9 . The method according to claim 8 , wherein the rating of ef ficacity applies to a set of values of operating parameters of the method according to one of claims 1 to 7 , the set comprising at least said first frequency .
10 . Method according to claim 9 , wherein said set of values of operating parameters is defined as
- said first frequency, and/or
- said first frequency and the relative direction of the alternating current in a pair of coils , and/or
- said first frequency and said second frequency .
11 . Method of determining a species-speci fic frequency of the method according to one of claims 1 to 7 , wherein the method comprises repeatedly performing the method according to one of claims 1 to 7 with various values of said first frequency, wherein in each repetition of the method according to claim 8 is applied to a microorganism of a first species , wherein a table of ratings of ef ficacity in dependency of said first frequency is established, wherein the frequency with the highest rating of ef ficacity is selected as the species-speci fic frequency for said first species . 16
12 . Method according to claim 11 , wherein a frequency range for said first frequency is estimated based on observed movements of said first species of microorganisms and wherein said various values of said first frequency are selected from said frequency range .
13 . Use of the method according to any one of claims 1 to 7 for reduction of microbial activity in the technical fields of water treatment , nutrition industry, cell culture industry or paper industry as well as in the general reduction or limitation of the reproduction of speci fic germs in all areas , as well as in human and animal tissue cultures , ex vivo , i . e . extracorporal , treatment of blood preparations .
PCT/EP2020/084421 2020-12-03 2020-12-03 Method of exciting a mechanical resonance in a structural component of a microorganism WO2022117186A1 (en)

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PCT/EP2020/084421 WO2022117186A1 (en) 2020-12-03 2020-12-03 Method of exciting a mechanical resonance in a structural component of a microorganism
EP21816492.9A EP4255514A2 (en) 2020-12-03 2021-12-01 Method of exciting a mechanical resonance in a structural component of a microorganism
CA3200449A CA3200449A1 (en) 2020-12-03 2021-12-01 Method of exciting a mechanical resonance in a structural component of a microorganism
PCT/EP2021/083802 WO2022117662A2 (en) 2020-12-03 2021-12-01 Method of exciting a mechanical resonance in a structural component of a microorganism
US18/265,084 US20240000982A1 (en) 2020-12-03 2021-12-01 Method of exciting a mechanical resonance in a structural component of a microorgansim

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Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5183456A (en) * 1989-11-15 1993-02-02 Life Resonances, Inc. Method and apparatus for the treatment of cancer
EP2327990A1 (en) * 2006-11-20 2011-06-01 Nativis, Inc Apparatus and method for transducing an in vitro or mammalian system with a low-frequency signal
US20130165734A1 (en) * 2009-04-08 2013-06-27 Nativis, Inc. Time-domain transduction signals and methods of their production and use

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5183456A (en) * 1989-11-15 1993-02-02 Life Resonances, Inc. Method and apparatus for the treatment of cancer
EP2327990A1 (en) * 2006-11-20 2011-06-01 Nativis, Inc Apparatus and method for transducing an in vitro or mammalian system with a low-frequency signal
US20130165734A1 (en) * 2009-04-08 2013-06-27 Nativis, Inc. Time-domain transduction signals and methods of their production and use

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